Four girls aged 12–14 face arson charges after a fire damaged Taloyoak’s old school building. No injuries reported. RCMP urges fire safety talks at home.
Fire Destroys Former Classroom in Remote Nunavut Town
Four young girls in Taloyoak, Nunavut, have been charged with arson following a fire that severely damaged the community’s former home economics building on June 8. The incident has raised concerns about fire safety awareness among youth in the region.
Emergency Response and Community Impact
At approximately 6:35 p.m., local RCMP received a report of a structure fire in Taloyoak—a remote Arctic hamlet of about 1,100 residents. The Taloyoak Fire Department quickly responded to the blaze and successfully contained it, preventing damage to adjacent buildings.
Investigation Leads to Charges
Following a swift investigation, the RCMP announced on June 14 that four girls, aged between 12 and 14, were charged with arson. Their identities have not been released due to youth protection laws. No injuries were reported in connection with the fire.
Community Collaboration Praised
Police credited the charges to helpful information provided by community members. “We thank residents who stepped forward and assisted our officers,” said the RCMP in a statement released Friday afternoon.
Concerns Over Youth Fire Risk
The RCMP is urging parents and guardians in Taloyoak—and across the North—to talk to their children about the dangers of fire. “Matches and lighters are not toys,” the statement emphasized, noting the potential for far greater harm in such isolated communities with limited emergency resources.
Ongoing Public Safety Measures
Authorities have not disclosed the extent of the building’s damage but confirmed it was no longer in regular use for schooling. RCMP say they are working with local leadership to increase awareness and improve fire prevention education among youth in the community.
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